Lucent Technologies Inc.

At&t Bell Laboratories

Frank Joseph Krainaker

Ivan Pawlenko

Israel Amir

Frank P Higgins

Kenneth H Billingham

Clyde A Lawrence

Dennis J Fitch

Larry P Samson

John Burnet Macdonald

An optical probe is positioned between a pair of connectors positioned substantially adjacent to each other so as to read identifying markings on the face or surface of one of the connectors. The optical probe includes a probe head and an illumination device for projecting light substantially parallel to the face of one of the connectors, i.e., a surface being imaged. The illumination device includes a bifurcated fiber optic cable and a pair of prisms positioned so as to illuminate the surface being imaged from opposite directions. A spectral image representative of light scattered by laser etchings on the surface, or light reflected or absorbed by other markings on the surface is projected by a cylindrical mirror through the path of the light from the illumination device to a camera. The camera displays the image of the surface being imaged on a monitor. The probe head is substantially flat and thin so as to fit between the connectors without damaging the connectors. The probe head is also electrically non-conductive so that it can be used while an electronic system utilizing the connectors is operating.

Optical probe for scanning surfaces within constricted spaces

A wire straightener (10) for accommodating different size wires (12) includes first and second wire-bending stations (15a) and (15b) located on opposite sides of a central member (14). Each of the wire-bending stations (15a,15b) includes a pair of opposed, complementary contours (56,60), the individual length of which, and the spacing relative to the other contour, may be adjusted. Extending between the contours (56,60) along their respective lengths is a wire-receiving passage (62) which communicates with the wire-receiving passage in the other station. The opposed, complementary contours (56,60) of each wire-bending station are orthogonal to those of the other station so that as the wire is forced through the wire-receiving passage (62), the wire is bent in each of two orthogonal planes, causing it to be straightened upon exiting the second station.

Wire straightener for accomodating different size wires

Growing community of inventors

Trenton, NJ, United States of America

Frank Joseph Krainaker